Established in 1977 and serving all of Cleveland County, the Leona Neal Senior Center offers a place for adults age 55 and older to easily access information and services as well as to meet, socialize, and participate in programs and special seasonal events. Located at 100 T.R. Harris Drive, Shelby, the center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
"Most people are not aware of all of the services that we offer - many of them that are available to the entire community, not just seniors ," says Outreach Coordinator Kathy Cobb. "For one thing, we serve lunch to all ages Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. We also have a consignment shop, a library and a gift shop. And we have a 15,000-square-foot area that is available to the community for rental for wedding receptions and birthday parties and other events."
All of these services plus much more are available to those who are 55 years old and older, the target audience of the center.
Monday night bingo is a staple activity for many, as are weekly quilting, line dancing, knitting and painting classes. Numerous groups meet for bridge at the center, and billiards, zumba and ceramics are just a few of the other activities and classes offered.
"We are also participate in SHIP - Senior Health Information Program," says Cobb. "This program helps anyone who is on Medicare - no matter what their age - to choose a supplemental plan and a drug plan, and we provide patient assistance for prescriptions."
Many other services are also provided to Neal Center members. Seniors 60 and over who want someone to check in on them each day can register for the Council on Aging/Telephone Reassurance Program. Monday through Friday, a volunteer will call to make sure the person is doing okay. If the volunteer does not get an answer, the volunteer will notify a contact person who will personally visit the senior. The center also has a "Ladies Support Group" for women 55 years old or older who are recently divorced or widowed. This group provides a variety of programs that deal with such topics as car maintenance, dealing with depression, cooking for one, self-protection and health information.
Special events are also held throughout the year at the center, including birthday celebrations, Veterans Day observances, health fairs and membership events. This past October trick-or-treaters from the Shelby First Baptist Church day care visited the center.
For more information about the Neal Senior Center, visit the center's facebook page or its web site at nealseniorcenter.org.

By April Shauf, Special to Shelby Shopper